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Florissant Valley Teen Honored by St. Louis County Library Foundation

Date:

Thu, 09/12/2013 (All day)

The St. Louis County Library Foundation will present the 2013 Sidney Johnson Learning Award winner to local teen Oluwatosin Mosuro for his outstanding volunteer service. Oluwatosin, 17, has been a volunteer at the Florissant Valley Branch since 2011, contributing more than 150 hours of volunteer service.

Oluwatosin has helped with tasks such as arranging items for the branch's book sales, preparing for story time, and shelving library books. Youth Specialist Jennifer Illardi recommended him for the annual award, saying, "he has a strong mind for problem-solving and is not shy to suggest alternative ways to tackle an issue. He deserves this award because of his dedication to service." Ilardi added she is also impressed with the way Oluwatosin makes an effort to include new volunteers.

"He is very friendly and welcoming, which makes me very comfortable having new volunteers work alongside him," said Ilardi in her nomination.

In addition to volunteering at the library, Oluwatosin is involved in Chess Club and Robotics. He is a senior at Hazelwood Central High School. He enjoys reading, and intends to pursue a degree in engineering.

Oluwatosin will receive $1,000 at the St. Louis County Library Foundation's Gala on September 21. A total of 25 applications were received for the award this year. The Sidney Johnson Learning award recognizes library service by a teen and is in memory of Lewis & Clark staff member, Sidney Johnson, who was killed in 2007.